Sports briefs for March 4, 2013

Yankees GM breaks leg in parachute jump for charity

NEW YORK — New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman broke his right fibula and dislocated his ankle upon landing from a parachute jump for charity in Florida, the team said on Monday.

Cashman, 45, the main executive who decides which multimillion-dollar contracts to offer on Major League Baseball’s highest paid team, was attempting to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids U.S. military veterans when they return from war.

He was injured on the second of two tandem jumps with a parachutist from the U.S. Army Golden Knights at the Homestead Air Reserve Base outside of Miami, the team said in a statement.

Surgery was scheduled for later on Monday at Broward Health Medical Center, the statement said.

Cardinals manager Matheny may need surgery

St. Louis Cardinals Mike Matheny has a ruptured disc in his back that may require surgery, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Monday.

According to the report, the rupture has created loose particles near his spine, and those particles are creating pressure on the nerve that is causing pain and numbness.

He is scheduled to have an epidural injection to see whether he can work through the pain.

However, surgery may be required eventually.

Jordan requests dismissal of paternity suit

Michael Jordan filed documents in court on Monday requesting that the paternity suit against him be dismissed, TMZ reported.

Paula Smith had filed a paternity suit against Jordan in Fulton County, Ga., claiming he was the father of her 16-year-old son.

Jordan’s filing claims it has already been determined that Jordan is not the father.

“Public records show that the paternity of the child was established in a prior case in this same court many years ago and that Michael Jordan is not the father,” Jordan’s representatives said in a statement, according to TMZ. “It is unfortunate that well-known figures are the target of these kind of claims. Michael Jordan will vigorously defend himself and his reputation.”

Carolina goalie Ward out 6-8 weeks

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward will be out six to eight weeks because of a knee injury, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

Ward was injured in the second period on Sunday and could be out the rest of the regular season.

An MRI on Monday revealed a third-degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament, according to the Charlotte Observer. No surgery is required.

The Hurricanes are expected to recall goalie Justin Peters from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Dan Ellis, who played in Charlotte during the NHL lockout, takes over as the Hurricanes’ No. 1 goalie.

Sabres’ Kaleta banned five games for illegal hit

Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended five games for shoving New York Rangers forward Brad Richards from behind and into the boards, the National Hockey League said on Monday.

Kaleta received a major penalty for the hit during Sunday’s game that saw Richards hit his head and neck as he sprawled into the boards and to the ice in pain.

Richards, who has 13 points in 20 games for the Rangers this season, did not practice with the team on Monday but is expected to be fine.

Kaleta, who is considered a repeat offender, will also forfeit $76,219.25 in salary, the league said in a statement.

Jets’ Revis ahead of schedule

The New York Jets said in a conference call with season-ticket holders Monday that cornerback Darrelle Revis is ahead of schedule in recovering from knee surgery.

Several reporters listened in on the conference call.

General manager John Idzik and coach Rex Ryan answered questions about the team. Revis was a hot topic, along with the status of quarterback Tim Tebow.

Idzik answered a question about why the team is trying to trade Revis by saying, “By all accounts, by his doctors’ accounts, he’s doing very well. So we’re anxious to get him back, anxious to get him back in the building, get him back with his teammates and have him help us — help us not only on the field, but in the building with his approach. We’re very fortunate to have a player like Darrelle Revis on our team.”

However, Revis is due $6 million and is seeking a new deal that will pay him about $16 million, according to ESPN.com. The team cannot place a franchise tag on him because of a clause in his contract.